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2013 Toyota Corolla Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 201 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota Corolla, most often about the air bags (36% of complaints, typically around 37,500 miles). It is 16th of 27 Corolla model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2013 Toyota Corolla problems
Air bags
72 complaints · 36%Half of these problems showed up before 37,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Takata recall--car make and model are listed on recall list--local Toyota dealer says no--but don't trust that statement. Checked with colonial Toyota, indiana pa 15701--was repeatedly told no.
Sunday, february 4 at about 7 pm, it had been a rainy day with a lot of humidity, leaving my parents' house a block before the traffic lights I do not understand how the air bags were activated and as a result of that I lost control of my vehicle and I caught the light in red. As a result almost a fatal accident my…
Steering
39 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 3,500 miles. Parts named most often: steering wheel/handle bar.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Corolla. While driving 30 MPH, the power steering failed without warning. The vehicle became difficult to control and caused the contact to crash into another vehicle. There were no injuries. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the…
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Corolla. While driving 35 MPH, the steering seized without warning and excessive force was needed to maneuver the vehicle. The failure occurred on several occasions. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The…
Brakes
24 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles. Parts named most often: pedals and linkages.
On 11/19/20 the car accelerated and brakes stuck when turning right at about 5-10 miles to the parking space at jalapenos restaurant, 450 e 1st st tustin ca 92780. Car stopped because the bar on the ground prevented the car from moving forward! It scared the hell out of me, it left me shacking!
Driving slowly in traffic, car in front stopped. I went to stop and pumped brake pedal several times but car would not stop. Rear ended car in front, steering wheel airbag deployed and engine stopped. Went to move car out of traffic lane and again when I went to stop, now going only 3-5 MPH, pumped brakes again…
Engine
19 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 21,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the power steering intermittently failed without warning. The vehicle became increasingly difficult to maneuver. Also, the contact mentioned that the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician was unable to…
When accelerating to pass another vehicle the engine misfired and I had no power to continue passing the vehicle. This has been fixed several times at the dealer but continues to happen.
Speed control
18 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Corolla. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired, but no failures could be found. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 20,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Corolla. While reversing out the driveway, the brake pedal was applied and the vehicle independently accelerated to a high rate of speed. The vehicle crashed into bushes and a residence. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The manufacturer requested the data…
Other or unspecified
15 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles.
Trunk latch is defective - randomly opens. Had it fixed for $350. Opens when driving and when parked. Toyota dealership said it was a recall with the 2009 model. Happened twice on 12/29/17 and had it fixed on 01/16/17.
Driving on freeway and A/C completely stopped working on my 2013 Toyota Corolla. Will not work again. Took to dealer who stated no longer under warranty. Took to mechanic who found the A/C compressor solenoid is not working. Also there is no communication with the A/C amplifier. They suspect a faulty A/C amplifier and…
Seat belts
12 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 20,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH a vehicle crashed into the contact and caused the contact to crash into a wall. During the crash the air bags did not deploy and the seat belts did not lock. The contact suffered injuries to the back and the passenger suffered injuries to…
On wednesday, july 30, 2014 I was driving on I-5 south bound, just before cannon road exit. Traffic was going at 35-40 MPH, however, at times coming to complete stops. Traffic was very slow ahead so I brake and came near a complete stop. I looked in the rearview mirror and noticed the car behind me approaching at a…
Electrical
11 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel.
When we go to remove the key from the ignition switch it won't turn completely to allow removal at times and you have to start the car several times to move it and it can affect the shifting of the transmission out of park. The vehicle was stationary at the time. This of course can be a safety problem.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while his wife was driving 45 MPH, the front passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated while the contact was occupying the front passenger's seat. The contact called stadium Toyota located at 5088 n. Dale mabry hwy, tampa, fl 33614, ([phone], to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Toyota Corolla recalls
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Risk: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ecu and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning march 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between march 16, 2020 and june 27, 2020. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20tb03, 20ta03 and 20ta05.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 corolla, 2011-2013 matrix, 2012-2018 avalon, and 2013-2018 avalon hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ecu) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began november 20, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are j0a, j0b, and j0c. Lexus' numbers for this recall are jli, jlj, and jlk.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4runner, 2003-2006 tundra, 2003-2013 corolla, 2009-2010 corolla matrix, 2004-2005 rav4, 2002-2007 sequoia, 2011-2013 sienna, 2008-2012 scion xb, 2008-2009 lexus is-f, 2007-2012 yaris and lexus es350, 2010-2017 lexus gx460, 2002-2010 lexus sc430, 2006-2012 lexus is250 and is350 and 2010-2015 lexus is250c and is350c vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began february 15, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "zone a" toyota: g0p, lexus: glg; "zone b" toyota: g0r, lexus glh; "zone c" toyota: h0a, and lexus: hla.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 toyota 4runner, 2014-2015 scion xb, lexus is350c, is250c, 2014 toyota sienna, lexus is-f, and 2014-2017 lexus gx460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 toyota corolla, corolla matrix, lexus is250, is350, 2011-2016 4runner, 2011-2015 scion xb, lexus is350c, is250c, 2011-2014 toyota sienna, lexus is-f, 2011-2017 lexus gx460, and 2011-2012 lexus es350 vehicles ever registered in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north car
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the toyota, scion and lexus owners. General motors will contact the pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began on january 29, 2018. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "zone a" toyota: g0p, lexus: glg; "zone b" toyota: g0r, lexus glh; "zone c" toyota: h0a, and lexus: hla.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2013 scion xb, toyota corolla, corolla matrix, sienna, 4runner, lexus is250, is350, is250c, is350c, is-f, and gx460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of al, ca, fl, ga, hi, la, ms, sc, tx, pr, as, gu, the mp (saipan), and the u.s. Vi or "zone a." toyota is also recalling certain 2010 scion xb, toyota corolla, corolla matrix, yaris, 4runner, lexus is250, is350, is250c, is350c, es350, is-f, gx460, and pontiac vibe vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of az, ar, de, dc, il, in, ks, ky, md, mo, ne, nv, nj, nm, nc, oh, ok, pa, tn, va, and wv or "zone b." toyota is also recalling certain 2009 scion xb, toyota corolla, corolla matrix, yaris, lexus is250, is350, es350, is-f, and pontiac vibe vehicles ever registered in the states of ak, co, ct, id, ia, me, ma, mi, mn, mt, nh, ny, nd, or, ri, sd, ut, vt, w
Seats
Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Fix: Southeast toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on march 21, 2013. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 tacoma, 4runner, camry, camry hybrid, prius, and rav4; model year 2009-2010 avalon, fj cruiser, and highlander hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year corolla, sienna and tundra; model year 2009-2013 highlander and venza; model year 2012 prius v; and model year 2010-2012 sequoia. During modification by set to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest dvd systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Electrical overstress
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.â during the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (acu) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ecu) manufactured by zf-trw. â the ecu receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with m
Questions about the 2013 Toyota Corolla
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Toyota Corolla?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (72 complaints, typically around 37,500 miles); steering (39 complaints, typically around 3,500 miles); brakes (24 complaints, typically around 36,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota Corolla have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 17, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Toyota Corolla?
- It is 16th of 27 Corolla model years by number of complaints, with 201 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.